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"He'll have surgery this week and have it repaired," said Schiano, who does not yet know the severity of the groin injury that sidelined cornerback Darrelle Revis in the second quarter Sunday.

Crabtree, who started Sunday but has just four catches this season, is the third tight end the Bucs have placed on injured reserve, joining Luke Stocker and Nate Byham. His injury leaves Tampa Bay with only rookie Tim Wright at the position, so the team will sign a tight end in the next two days. The Bucs have rookie Matt Veldman, a 6-foot-7 target from North Dakota State, on the practice squad, or could go outside, having worked out former Rutgers tight end D.C. Jefferson earlier this month.

Crabtree, a free-agent signee from Green Bay in the offseason, had just four catches for 21 yards, limited by a high ankle sprain in the first month of the season. He caught a 2-yard touchdown pass against Seattle on a "jump pass" by rookie running back Mike James to give the Bucs a 21-0 lead, though they eventually lost in overtime.

Wright has emerged as the Bucs' top receiving threat at tight end, getting 34 catches for 366 yards and two scores as he has built a strong connection with fellow rookie Mike Glennon. Crabtree is the 13th player placed on injured reserve by the Bucs this season.

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